July's Treasures: From Black Lace Ties to Mitzi Gaynor

So far, New England's summer weather has been a disappointment, with lots of rain and fluctuating temperatures. But in the treasure-hunting department, it's been a great success for me.

July's Brimfield Antiques Show was a breeze compared with May's – no three-hour traffic jams or pushy crowds, and there were some very good bargains to be had.

In some respects, I've become a bit predictable with what I bring home, but even in the categories of stuff I collect, I've been seeing unusual items, beginning with a vintage black lace tie I found, along with two others I couldn't pass up at $1 each.

What I like about this is its goth/steampunk vibe. The black lace is overlaid onto what I believe is solid acetate. I also like the back label and the tag line, "fashions with a future." Tying this on should be an interesting project. Definitely a great Halloween tie.

The other two ties include a jacquard pastel blue one with a "Richards Greenwich Village" label on the back, and a skinny tie with a "Brown Thompson Inc. Hartford" label. Brown Thompson was once a very large Hartford, CT department store located next to G.Fox&Co., both now long gone.

Throughout my home, I have various "themes," motifs, colors or vibes that give it a semi-crazy cohesiveness. One current "theme" I've been building upon is pink flamingos.

I spotted this TV lamp in the booth across from the vintage tie dealer's, and at first I passed on it. The dealer wanted $55, and I didn't want to pay quite that much. I took a gamble and stopped by at the end of the day and it was still there. I asked the dealer if he would take $40, then he countered with $45 and I agreed. I think it's very unique, especially with its red fiberglass shade with cool whip stitching. I've never seen it listed on any online auction sites either.

The four "Everlasting Washable Flowers" are made of a pliable plastic that, yes, can be washed, as the attached tag states.

I originally thought I'd put this lamp in my kitchen with my other plastic light-up pink flamingo...

But because of the red shade, I think it will look better in my living room (the color scheme is red and gold).

I now have a second vintage cookie jar, which I guess means I've started a collection. Nostalgia enticed me to buy a "Cookies All Over" cookie jar some years ago, and I happened to see a dusty "Pineapple" cookie jar on a table that needed rescuing. The dealer sold it to me for $20. After washing and cleaning it up, it looks really great.

I especially like the design, which features three bows on the lid, with a raised fruit garland and an all-over diagonal lattice pattern. There are a few very minor chips on the lid but they're hardly noticeable.

The bottom is not marked, but after doing a bit of online searching, I found one on an online auction site that says it was made by Los Angeles Potteries in 1965.

Continuing in the food and drink category, I also found a set of cute plastic snack trays, probably from the 1950s – $5 for a set of seven, five pink and two turquoise.

In case you're confused, these are NOT ashtrays...

But they were made by Hofmann Industries Inc. of Sinking Spring, PA.

They're perfect for displaying vintage drinking glasses, like this set of four silver shell motif ones designed by Georges Briard...

Apparently, these were once sold at fine department stores like Neiman Marcus and Bonwit Teller during the 50s, 60s and 70s. This set was the bargain of the day for just $2.50.

They're even signed by the designer.

And, my light-up Christmas angel collection is now a trio with the addition of this blue plastic angel...

Mini photo frames were on my shopping list, and one dealer had boxes of them. I picked out a handful for $3-$5 each.

Fittingly, Mitzi Gaynor, who starred in many 50s musicals, including South Pacific and There's No Business Like Show Business, is in one of the frames.

Finally, a few "They're selling THAT?!" photos...

Shagadelic Side Tables, unfortunately still wet from the previous day's rain.

MAJOR 1970s macramé project. I believe the top part is a lamp.

By late afternoon, I was tired (in a good way), and waved goodbye to my new friends...

See you in September!

COOL Vintage Day

Outdoor Antiquing Season has officially begun, and this year's first Brimfield Antiques Show witnessed throngs of treasure hunters, and long lines of traffic. Despite unusually cool weather and two extra hours of waiting in said traffic, it was a fun time.

The day's first bargain? Two more skinny vintage ties, likely from the late 1950s-early 1960s. Price? $5 each.

The left one is a Wembley with a unique mid-century design.

 

The label says, "WEAR WITH BLUE OR GREY."
Back in the day, men needed labels to guide them on what color suits went with their ties (or their wives dressed them).

The right tie is suede or faux suede with a Made in Italy label and a "WASHABLE" label on the back.

Chandelier crystals are in abundance every year, and this time I picked four pieces in amber. I plan to use them at Halloween season on my wall crown. These have pointy bottoms vs. rounded, which makes them look more like autumn leaves as opposed to teardrops.

I had been looking for an 11"x14" black frame to complete a set of four in my hallway since at least last year, and I did find one that has a fun French nautical print that's nicely matted (a $10 bargain). I may actually keep this as is and find another empty frame instead. I'm still mulling it over...

Naturally, it wouldn't be a completely successful Brimfield day without more vintage Christmas items. 

The C-6 light set is in unused condition, and there's a faded price tag on the front that says "S.S. Kresge Co." followed by stock numbers and 77 cents. After doing some quick online research, I discovered S.S. Kresge was the man who started Kresge five and dime department stores in 1912, which in 1977 became Kmart stores.

 At right is the first evil pixie elf I've purchased. He has a cute metal bell on his hat and a Made In Japan sticker on his back. I hope he doesn't scare Santa away this December. I'll have to keep a close eye on him.


















Finally, here are a few snapshots that set the scene for my outdoor treasure-hunting day, including Random Mannequin Legs, a Beauty Parlor Roller Disco Detective Agency, and BIG BOY.

Happy Treasure Hunting... Mmmm!

Xmas 2016: Gangster Snowmen & Psychedelic Butterflies

As a devout collector of vintage Christmas, this time of year is always fun because I can freely display the year's latest treasures.

In general, I'm a traditionalist when it comes to the holidays, but I'm always on the hunt for something that's unique, quirky or irreverent. The great thing about vintage Christmas items is that, for the most part, they were mass-produced, unless you go way, way back. The challenge with lights and glass ornaments is they're highly breakable, so to find these intact becomes rarer as the years go by.

In a previous post, I photographed my mini light-up gangster snowman (a cool Brimfield find from this past summer). I placed him in my hallway next to the "Chairman" gangster snowman. This no-nonsense duo I'll leave out through the winter.



This is the original box he arrived in:



Also in my hallway: my annual "Fantasy Tree" with 1940s fluorescent lights. This year I acquired the psychedelic glitter butterflies at Brimfield for a great bargain price.





As you wander further down my hallway (think bowling alley that ends in an "L"), there's a vintage 1940 chandelier. This year I purchased new red Christmas tree shades from Ballard Designs. I added the mini green glass ornaments.



In the kitchen, I placed my musical Santa head on a glass tray with pine cones surrounding him. The Santa was a gift from one of my aunts last Christmas. He dates from 1973 and plays Jingle Bells when you turn his head -- SO much fun!



 

My living room holds the most decorations, partly because it's the largest room in my place, and its red, gold and pink color scheme makes it an ideal backdrop for Christmas decorations.

The green card says, "Put the jingle in your bell,
the merry in your Christmas,
the fa in your la-la-la.
Just don't get your tinsel in a tangle."

This year's live tree is, once again, imported from South Windsor, CT, and smells GREAT!
I had originally planned to use C-9 outdoor lights, but decided I didn't have enough to fill the tree, and they would burn too hotly, even on a dimmer switch. So, I used C-7 lights instead, in primarily red and yellow to complement the living room colors. I also used tinsel to add to the brightness.

 



The pair of large window candles I found on eBay. When I was looking at them online, I thought they were C-9 size, but they're actually larger — the flame bulbs are 25 watts, normal lamp fixture size. I think they're sort of rare. I don't recall ever seeing candles this large at anyone's house, at least.
























There are at least a few vintage ornaments on the tree that are new this year, including these...










































Even my front door received a decor lift with this frosty swag I found at Home Goods. I added the four silver and gold glass clusters.




























































Naturally, in addition to decorating for the holidays, I also enjoy wrapping gifts. It's another opportunity to express myself creatively. I found a few sheets of vintage gift wrap to make it even more fun. I'm guessing they date from the 1960s...





























 

May your New Year be peaceful and vintage happy!